The first of many MRI’s.
Plans worked out that I was able to take Haley to her MRI alone. If the baby became hungry before we returned Jeremy would give him a bottle. If that didn't go well they would meet me at the hospital to feed him. At this point we were happy the hospital was only 10 minutes away.
We checked in, went to a small room where the nurses did their regular check up and took some history. Then they had Haley sit facing me on my lap and holding her arm a particular way so they could put an IV in her ...
Doctors visits began.
We had the appointments scheduled for the two specialists so we were just waiting but not necessarily worried. One night we were watching the news when they talked about someone going in for brain surgery to remove a tumor. I remember thinking she is going to have a brain tumor, but then thought I was just being crazy.
I took her in for her Neurology appointment. We first saw the PA who was doing some motor tests with Haley. He said, "touch my finger, touch your nose, touch my finger, touch ...
How the brain tumor discovery began.
We went on vacation in March when the kids were off track. The first morning on the road Haley had cereal for breakfast, nothing out of the ordinary. Immediately after finishing she threw up. I really do mean immediately. She swallowed that last bite and up it came. She asked to be held, which was uncommon because she is a mover and a shaker. She fell asleep immediately in my arms. Again, it was within 30 seconds! It was not even 8 am and she was already taking a nap! How strange is that?!�...
Here comes a big change!
This past week my family has been through quite an ordeal. We went from discovering our Little Chef H, Haley, was having seizures to discovering just a few days later that she has a very large brain tumor and surgery is within 7-10 days. She is a very unique case because she is 2, the tumor is large and the type of tumor is difficult to remove.
My focus at this moment needs to be primarily on her needs. If we need a distraction we might post something here and there. (We were really looking ...
Pirate Games – Matching and Reasoning
Today we are sharing Pirate Games - one printable with two variations. This week we created a Pirate Menu which consisted of Walk the Plank Salmon, Sun Roasted Broccoli and Cheesy Pull Apart Sourdough Bread. We also learned how to Select, Store and Freeze Broccoli. What fun is "Talk Like A Pirate Day" next Thursday if you can't play a game! This pirate matching game can be played in two different ways.
How to Play Pirate Games:
Print the free printable twice so that you can play the ...
Walk The Plank Salmon
Next Thursday is "Talk Like A Pirate Day." My Little Chefs and I thought it would be fun to make a piratey menu for the day and have a piratey activity. Walk the Plank Salmon is an easy recipe. I would say it is a quick recipe except for it has 30 minutes of marinade time. If you call a recipe that can be made in 1 hour quick then this is one of those.
Submerge your cedar planks in water for 30 minutes. You will need to start with a defrosted salmon or salmon fillets. Whether you buy it ...
Cheesy Pull Apart Sourdough Bread
To continue on with our Pirate theme, yesterday we had Sun Roasted Broccoli and today we are sharing our Cheesy Pull Apart Sourdough Bread. I'm sure the bread the pirates had was not freshly made but that isn't stopping us from making something delicious today. What I love about this recipe is you are not making the bread, you get to buy a round loaf of sourdough. That saves a lot of time!
The cutting of the bread is a little tricky, your Little Chefs might need some assistance. When ...
Sun Roasted Broccoli
Next Thursday is "Talk Like A Pirate Day." We thought it would be fun to have a pirate menu and craft/activity to make it a fun filled pirate day. That is why we are sharing "Sun Roasted Broccoli" today. Those pirates are on the ship all day being roasted by the sun.
First, wash your broccoli and then chop it into bite sized pieces. Some of ours were bite sized and some were larger, it depends on the chef and how particular they are. I prefer bite sized pieces because then I do not need to ...
How To Select, Store and Freeze Broccoli
How To Select Broccoli
The florets should be tightly closed.
Broccoli should have a deep green color all over.
Stalks should be firm and slender.
Do NOT select those with yellow spots or yellow flowers.
How To Store Broccoli
Do not wash the broccoli.
Raw broccoli needs air circulation. Place broccoli in an open plastic bag.
Place in the fridge in crisper drawer.
It is best to use in 3-5 days but may last a week.
Wash only before use.
How To Freeze Broccoli
Use ...
Grandparents Bingo {Free Printable}
All week we have been sharing our "Brunch with Grandparents" Menu for Grandparents Day which is this upcoming Sunday. My Little Chefs love to talk and play games with their Grandparents when we get together (or over Skype!). Today we are sharing a Grandparents Bingo you can play together. Ok, it isn't Bingo in the traditional sense, but it is fun. Some items are older and some items are newer. That is what is so fun! My Little Chefs learn best through stories. There are some items my Little ...
Orange Cream Delight
We love to make smoothies because they are hard to go wrong. The Little Chefs are able to make their own recipes, or they are able to alter others like this one. All the ingredients are added to the blender in any order, except the ice which always goes last.
For the Orange Cream Delight Little Chef D added the yogurt.
Next the peaches and banana.
Then comes the milk.
Little Chef D and A worked together to get out the orange juice concentrate. That was a hard task because it was ...
Raspberry Honey Butter
Sometimes toast needs a little something extra, a little something different then honey or jam or jelly. Cinnamon sugar is a good option. It is quick and easy to make but so is Raspberry Honey Butter.
Soften one stick of butter, add 3 ingredients, combine in a food processor and you are good to go! It is a great beginner recipe for your Little Chefs to practice measuring liquid ingredients. It only takes a few minutes so even those with shorter attention spans will be able to make it ...
